NewKerala.com

South Korea Defends DMZ Control Bills, Says No Conflict With Armistice

South Korea's unification ministry has asserted that pending legislation granting the government control over non-military access to the DMZ does not conflict with the Korean War armistice, as it requires advance consultation with the United Nations Command. This stance comes a day after the UNC voiced strong opposition, calling the bills "completely at odds" with the armistice agreement. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young echoed support for the bills, dismissing concerns they could harm South Korea-U.S. relations. Meanwhile, the defense and foreign ministries emphasized the need for close coordination with the UNC while acknowledging public interest in the DMZ's peaceful use.

Key Points: S. Korea Says DMZ Access Bills Don't Violate Armistice Agreement

  • Bills grant S. Korea non-military DMZ access control
  • UNC strongly opposes the proposed legislation
  • Government says bills require advance UNC consultation
  • Aim is to promote peaceful use of the buffer zone
  • Multiple ministries stress need for close coordination
3 min read

South Korea's unification ministry says DMZ access bills not in conflict with armistice

South Korea's unification ministry states pending DMZ control bills require UN Command consultation and do not conflict with the Korean War armistice.

"The ongoing parliamentary discussion... does not conflict with the armistice at all. - Unification Ministry"

Seoul, Jan 29

South Korea's unification ministry said on Thursday that pending bills granting the South Korean government control of non-military access to the Demilitarised Zone do not conflict with the armistice as the bills require advance consultation with the United Nations Command.

The ministry's stance came a day after the UNC voiced strong opposition to the bills, calling them "completely at odds" with the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

"The ongoing parliamentary discussion on DMZ-related bills requires advance consultations with the UNC for approval of DMZ access, and therefore does not conflict with the armistice at all," the unification ministry said in a notice to the press, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The ministry said it will continue to cooperate on the DMZ access bills, in respect of the National Assembly's legislative rights.

The ministry has thrown its support behind the bills, proposed by ruling party lawmakers, aiming to give the government the authority to regulate non-military access to the DMZ, as part of efforts to promote the peaceful use of the military buffer zone separating the two Koreas.

The US.-led UNC has, however, objected to the bills, stressing its role as the administrator of the DMZ under the armistice agreement.

Earlier in the morning, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young also echoed his support for the bills, saying they "do not conflict with the armistice."

Asked to address growing concerns that differences between his ministry and the UNC could erode South Korea-U.S. relations, Chung noted, "That will not be the case."

The defence ministry, however, struck a cautious tone, saying it will work closely with the UNC regarding the use of the military buffer zone.

"The defence ministry respects the UNC's authority, based on the armistice agreement, and will closely cooperate with the UNC on the use of the DMZ," ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said in a regular press briefing.

While reaffirming the need for close coordination with the UNC and respect for its mandate, the foreign ministry noted public interest in the peaceful use of the DMZ.

"We respect the National Assembly's legislative authority and take the position that relevant bills need to be discussed in close coordination with the UNC, while respecting the Armistice Agreement and the UNC mandate," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a briefing.

"At the same time, we believe it is necessary to take into account public interest and aspirations regarding the peaceful use of the DMZ," he said.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who follows geopolitics, this is a classic tension. South Korea wants more control over its territory, but the armistice is a complex, multi-party agreement. The defence ministry's cautious tone is the most sensible approach here. Rushing could destabilize the region.
P
Priyanka N
Promoting peaceful use of the DMZ is a noble goal 🌿. It's been a symbol of division for so long. If handled correctly, this could be a step towards eventual reconciliation, much like how confidence-building measures work. But the consultation with UNC is absolutely non-negotiable for stability.
A
Aman W
Reading this from India, it's a reminder of how fragile peace can be. The Korean situation is unique, but the principle is universal: you must respect the terms that stopped the war. The unification minister saying "that will not be the case" about harming US relations seems a bit too confident, no?
K
Karthik V
The different tones from various ministries (unification vs. defence) tell the whole story. One is pushing a political agenda, the other is focused on security. The defence ministry's stance is the correct one. Security should never be compromised for political points.
N
Nisha Z
It's good they are thinking about peaceful use. The world has too many walls. Maybe they can create ecological parks or cultural exchanges? But yaar, everything has to be done with full transparency and agreement from all sides. Can't have miscommunication at such a sensitive border.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50